Pavel Durau, the founder and chief executive of the popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested in France on Saturday, French television network TF1 reported.
It is believed that Durov was detained as part of a preliminary investigation.
TF1 said the investigation focused on the lack of content moderation on the instant messaging service, which authorities did not dispute, turning the app into a haven for a variety of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, child pornography, money laundering and fraud.
The practical approach to moderation in Telegram was a point of contentionfueling cybercrime and turning the platform into a hub for threat actors to organize their operations, distribute malware, and sell stolen data and other illicit goods
“This messaging app has become a bustling hub where experienced cybercriminals and novices exchange illicit tools and information, creating a dark and well-oiled supply chain of tools and victim data.” – Guardio Labs said in a report earlier this year.
Headquartered in Dubai, Telegram has over 950 million monthly active users as of July 2024. Recently launched an in-app browser and a Mini App Store, effectively turning it into a super app that mirrors Tencent’s WeChat.
(This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.)
